Need motivation and have a question...

[MomOf3]

I am getting pretty frustrated. I have been going to the gym for several months now and I am not losing much weight at all. I go on average about 5 times per week. I do cardio every time and I used to do weights just as much but alternating upper and lower body work outs. For the past month or so I have considerably slowed down on my weight training since I started a running program and increased my cardio time. I would run out of time and not be able to stay and do my weights, maybe only 2 times per week.

The thing is, I know that the more muscle you have the faster your metabolism becomes and you burn more calories. I really need to lose weight, not just increase muscle anymore. I am in much better shape cardiovascularly, but still have that excess fat and need to lose it. So my question is, and I probably already know the answer, what is more important to lose fat/weight? Is it lots and lots of cardio, like 45 min per day 5 times a week or 45 min 3 times and 30 min 2 times per week with 20 min weights. What should I do? Thank you.

Straight cardio doesn't work for everyone. I went through a 5 month basic training program 7 years ago and for the first 3 months I didn't loose a single pound despite running ALL the time. then in the 3rd month I started doing weight training and cut out all juice and soda and boom right away started loosing.
first off don't cut out those wieghts!!! it really does help you burn more calories and muscle weighs more than fat. If you do more repetitions of lower amounts of wieghts it will boost your matabolism and tone you instead of bulking you up. The key there is to do more of a less heavy amount. I would really urge you to keep them up every other day for 30 min! Also check into speed walking instead of running, speed walking actually burns more calories since running carries your forward with momentum- but the walking you have to continually push to do. Before I got pg i was doing this 3 times a week and lost 4 sizes which really is more important than the exact weight. As long as you are loosing inches your good. I can't wait to have this baby and get back to work, i was finally making progress and I am way tired of bedrest!!!

Steph/Cranlite

[MomOf3]

Thank you so much for your reply! I really needed to hear that, to stick with the weights. I mean, I pretty much knew it already, but it helps to hear it from someone else. I haven't made it to the gym yet this week, but tomorrow, Friday and Saturday for sure! I will be doing cardio and weights definately! Thank you again. And good luck with your pregnancy! I know what you mean about how you can't wait for the baby to come out. I was pregnant for 3 years in a row! No joke! I have 3 children and ages 3, 4, and 5. Sometimes I think my body is still screwed up from all that! lol Take care!

[My Kids Dad]

I have to agree with Cranlite as far as the weights are concerned. Muscle does weigh more then fat, and if it is the "weight" you are concerned about ... well .... it's hardly ever going to balance out. First off though (and I heard this long ago, and did it), get rid of the scales. Don't judge yourself by your weight, but judge by the way your clothes fit ... and more importantly .... how you feel about yourself!

Healthwise .. Cardio is better for you anyway. Gotta keep that plumbing workiing right, or the rest is a waste of time!

[i]Have a Great Day ! ! !

Dave

[My Kids Dad]

Please check out the forum called "Diet & Nutrition" .... and join in on our buddy system!

There's nothing like a little support when it comes to things like diet and exercise!

Check it out and pass the word!

Dave